Broad strokes Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbɹɔd/ /ˈstɹoʊks

BRAWD STROHKS

UK

bɹˈɔːd/ /stɹˈəʊks

b-RAWD STR-OHKS

Definition

'Broad strokes' means talking about the main ideas or a general overview, without going into details.

Usage & Nuances

Usually used for giving summaries or overviews. Common in business or creative discussions. Not meant for details. Variants: 'in broad strokes', 'paint with broad strokes'.

• Spanish: a grandes rasgos - en términos generales
• Portuguese (BR): em linhas gerais - de forma geral
• Portuguese (PT): em traços largos - de forma geral
• Chinese (Simplified): 大致情况 - 粗略地
• Chinese (Traditional): 大致情況 - 粗略地
• Hindi: मुख्य बिंदु - मोटे तौर पर
• Arabic: بصورة عامة - بصورة إجمالية
• Bengali: মূল ধারণা - সারসংক্ষেপ
• Russian: общие черты - в общих чертах
• Japanese: 大まかな概要 - 全体像
• Vietnamese: khái quát - nét chính
• Korean: 대강 - 개요
• Turkish: genel hatlar - ana hatlar
• Urdu: اجمالی خاکہ - مجموعی خاکہ
• Indonesian: garis besar - gambaran umum

Example Sentences

Let me explain the plan in broad strokes.

basic

She described the story in broad strokes without details.

basic

We only need the broad strokes of the report for now.

basic

Just give me the broad strokes—I don’t need every tiny detail.

natural

We discussed the project in broad strokes before starting the details.

natural

Her job interview answer covered the broad strokes, but the manager asked for specifics.

natural